5 ESSENTIAL TIPS TO MANAGE STRESS

Do you feel exhausted when you get home from work?

Do you go about your day feeling numb and as though you’re just going through the motions?

When you get right down to it, do you feel ineffective and maybe even helpless?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you might wonder what’s wrong with you. But it may be something you haven’t even thought about: Burnouts.

Learn easy ways to manage burnouts  in your life

1. Pay Attention To Yourself:

It’s easy to get so caught up in the world and what needs to be done in it that you end up being alienated from your own experience. To get more in tune with yourself, ask:

• How does my body feel? Am I tired? Do I have enough energy?
• How am I feeling emotionally? Am I getting cynical? Am I being snappy at others?
• Am I overwhelmed? Do I feel like things are piling up to the degree that I’ll never be able to catch up? Do I feel appreciated for what I do?

2. Ask Yourself If It’s Worth It:

Is what you are doing worth the physical and emotional drain on your body and mind?

When it comes to a job, sometimes we don’t have much choice, but if you are feeling burned out in other areas of your life, does it really matter so much that it’s worth harming yourself emotionally and physically?

Maybe it’s time to let go of people in your life who bring you more stress than support.

3. What If You Didn't . . .?:

What would happen if you didn't do whatever it is that is stressing you out?

Would the sky fall in if you didn't make the Easter dinner this year, didn't volunteer at your son’s school for a few weeks or months, didn't pack every hour of the work day with clients? If you took a day off to read a book or watch movies all day, would you really get that far behind?

4. Be Assertive:

Yes, I’m sure you sensed this one was coming: Just say no.

It’s okay. You can do this!

When Junior’s teacher asks you to be the parent monitor at his class’s monthly birthday party (for the umpteenth time because she knows you’ll say yes), say, “I’m glad to bring snacks for the party, but I can’t be the monitor.” That’s it. No need for an excuse. Just “I can’t.”

At work, it’s not a particularly good idea to say “no” or “I can’t”; instead, you may want to sit down with your boss and express your concerns about your work load or unreasonable expectations you feel from management.

Talk to him about your symptoms of burnout – exhaustion, cynicism, and/or feeling ineffective and helpless.

5. Don’t ‘Should’ On Yourself:

Please don’t allow burnout to happen to you because of ‘shoulds.’

“I should be able to handle this.”

“I shouldn't feel this way.”

Who said?

Try not to put any more pressure on yourself than you already feel. Trust your own experience with your body, your feelings, and your mind.

When those things combine to say “enough is enough,” it probably is.

What is your experience with burnout? Please share in the comments.

Cheers,

Imoh Iniakpaniko

ff @divasdefined